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Topic Review (Newest First)

03-14-2019 10:03 AM

Excellenceautosoluti

[QUOTE=TubeTek;4660159]T8 retrofit

Getting rid of the ballast is easy. The one thing you have to pay attention to is whether your new tubes are single end or double end powered,

I've bought about 30 of the Sunco brand 5000K frosted bypass tubes from Amazon with zero failures in around 18 months of regular use. Last time I noticed, they were about $7 each in box quantities. End of Quote ]

Thanks, just got a box of 10 of these Sunco's. They appear to be single end
powered.

I will report back when they get installed!

03-13-2019 09:20 PM

TubeTek

Quote:

Originally Posted by Excellenceautosoluti

I'm looking for some LEDs to replace my 4 foot T12 bulbs. The only ones I've been able to find is the T8 replacements. Are they interchangeable?
We can do plug n play, or I dont mind going around the ballast.

Go with the bypass type tubes. That's really your only choice when retrofitting T12 tubes. The plug and play tubes won't work with any type of T12 ballast, electronic or transformer type. And a lot of people who have T8 fluorescents with electronic ballasts also find that the tubes will not work with all varieties of T8 electronic ballasts.

Getting rid of the ballast is easy. The one thing you have to pay attention to is whether your new tubes are single end or double end powered, and wire the tombstones appropriately for the type you have.

As for the choice between clear or frosted tubes, I'd say among people who have worked around both types, upward of 90% prefer frosted. The individual leds in the clear tubes can throw off some really funky shadow patterns that you don't get with frosted.

I've bought about 30 of the Sunco brand 5000K frosted bypass tubes from Amazon with zero failures in around 18 months of regular use. Last time I noticed, they were about $7 each in box quantities. There are plenty of other choices as well, and prices are close. A lighting guy on another forum says to look for tubes with DLC certification as that's an indication that the wattage and lumen output are legitimate numbers while some of the sellers of tubes tend to overstate lumens and understate watts to try to make what they sell appear more efficient than they actually are.

02-28-2019 06:52 AM

bsa_bob2

They all have a ballast or a self starter of some kind i think. bob s not sure

02-27-2019 06:47 PM

rip-tide

Quote:

Originally Posted by Excellenceautosoluti

I'm looking for some LEDs to replace my 4 foot T12 bulbs. The only ones I've been able to find is the T8 replacements. Are they interchangeable?
We can do plug n play, or I dont mind going around the ballast.

Suggest a no ballast conversion, otherwise what's the point? Ballast just adds another point of failure, expense & labor

Pep

02-27-2019 11:35 AM

Molon Labe

That's a great price - even without the rebate. I just paid $44 and change each for a couple of these exact lights from Home Depot. And I agree, they're a significant improvement over a 4' fluorescent fixture.

02-27-2019 09:45 AM

Excellenceautosoluti

I'm looking for some LEDs to replace my 4 foot T12 bulbs. The only ones I've been able to find is the T8 replacements. Are they interchangeable?
We can do plug n play, or I dont mind going around the ballast.

02-27-2019 08:42 AM

bsa_bob2

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitemoves10

I found the number for those lights. Menards sku number 3480080. These are 4500 lumens 5000 color. Everything is bright and clear, no weird colors.

Is this light a 4,foot
,single tube ? nitemoves? If it is ,I purchased one of them this last week .Warranty is for 35 years .......seriously! and MAN this sucker throws out way more light than any of my 4' flourscent lights do. You just when the 32 years is up throw THE darn thing away.2 pieces of thin wire cable hold it up/ lmk please i gave $33.00 for one. bob s

02-25-2019 01:42 PM

nitemoves10

I found the number for those lights. Menards sku number 3480080. These are 4500 lumens 5000 color. Everything is bright and clear, no weird colors.

02-25-2019 08:32 AM

nitemoves10

This is real close to what I have. They discontinued the ones I have.

02-25-2019 07:20 AM

bsa_bob2

Quote:

Originally Posted by 64nailhead

I swapped over to LED 2 years ago and haven't changed a bulb yet. I started slowly, and then bit the bullet and changed them all. Removed 8 2 bulb setups and installed 6 of the low budget 4" setups from Lowes. It seems twice as bright as it was for over 15 years.

I bought two spare bulbs a couple of years ago and am yet to use them. Probably won't be able to find them when I finally do need them lol.

Whats the 4"setups ........whats that refer to i am missing the point on THIS statement

Did you mean 4' setups??????????? bob s thank you

02-24-2019 04:39 PM

nitemoves10

Found, darn Siri

02-24-2019 04:35 PM

nitemoves10

I have spoons I found word from Menards and they were about $30 apiece. They are the 4500 for 4500 and 5000 lm excellent

02-24-2019 03:04 PM

64nailhead

I swapped over to LED 2 years ago and haven't changed a bulb yet. I started slowly, and then bit the bullet and changed them all. Removed 8 2 bulb setups and installed 6 of the low budget 4" setups from Lowes. It seems twice as bright as it was for over 15 years.

I bought two spare bulbs a couple of years ago and am yet to use them. Probably won't be able to find them when I finally do need them lol.

02-24-2019 02:30 PM

bsa_bob2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Molon Labe

About twenty years ago I was on my way to work and came upon a full box of about 30, four foot fluorescent bulbs sitting in the middle of the road. I'm keeping my eyes out for a crate of LED tubes.

he heh They Say good luck runs in pairs,Molon!! i lost brand new Led flashlight yesterday .....didn't and could not find it ANYWHERE; Went out an bought another one. Then found out H/f had them on sale ,So i purchased another one. So i now have 2 -And the first one is still lost. I wound up in the hole .She says "You need a few flashlights" so you will; always have one.
How did i wind up with $30.00 in lights ....................................she says the first one will turn up. Its here somewhere.Man i hope shes right.

DUMB ENDING I think bob s

02-24-2019 01:35 PM

Molon Labe

About twenty years ago I was on my way to work and came upon a full box of about 30, four foot fluorescent bulbs sitting in the middle of the road. I'm keeping my eyes out for a crate of LED tubes.

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